Community Chat

[shoesnbags]

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@Deree wrote:

Please make sure whatever household filters you are cutting up don't contain chemicals or fibers that may be hazardous to your breathing or health.

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Yes, you’re right @Deree .  This was recommended by an MD and she addressed that issue.  The AC filters are ok, some other materials people are using are not. 

Editing here to add that’s it’s a 3M filter and she gives a link to the safety data available from the company. Just go to YouTube and search for My Pocket Pediatrician. 

[Ibby114]

Part of the problem with wearing masks/face coverings  is it's a fase sense of security- people need to adhere to staying 6+ ft away from each other, wash hands often, use hand sanitizer- plus I wear rubber gloves every time I go out! 

With the requirement now being to wear a face covering of some kind- I wish they'd stress the importance of the more effective guidelines. 

I like the idea of lining my covering with material from HVAC  filters- I'm certain I have extras laying around from the furnace I needed to replace!

[Deree]

@shoesnbags  Not all AC filters are created equal but if you trust the testing data on humans for that particular filter that's fine.  Personally I'd feel more comfortable using 4 layers of a high thread count fabric than an industrial filter.

[BlueFinch]

The masks we're being asked to wear socially, are not to protect us, they're to protect others, in case we're carrying the virus, while asymptomatic. It seems that the infected are the most contagious before they have any symptoms. And, some are spreaders, who never do. 

With every breath, and while speaking, we release respiratory vapors from our nose and mouth.  That's why they say -- keep six feet distance. There's controversy that this may not even be far enough, since this virus, when released, wafts and can hang in the air for a bit. It's why we don't want it out there. 

Then add a sneeze.  A simple sneeze has the ability to spread disease over 20ft. For example: It's estimated an aggressive sneeze could travel two aisles over in a grocery store. A cough travels, several feet, as well.

Social masks are imperative now, since we're learning more about this virus transmission.  It's a stealth, sneaky, opportunistic virus. 

For personal protection you would have to go to a hospital approved, fitted mask, like the N95. Even this mask is not protective with a virulent bug, if you don't wear it correctly and have fit tests. It has to be sealed tightly. Therefore, it's a misery to wear for any period of time, since it's so occlusive. You feel you can't breathe. 

So, if everyone just covers up their face, we will make a dent in transmitting this illness by controlling release of the virus into the air from the respiratory system of the unknown infected. There may be many, since we don't have enough testing.

All said, even a bandanna, or scarf is helpful. Anything to capture what escapes one's face. 

[pitdakota]

Totally agree @BlueFinch!

I think many think about others spreading the virus by coughing or sneezing and don't realize that just talking emits respiratory droplets into the air around them.

Here is an article I posted in Among Friends that talks about this and also has a cool video (well I think it is) that demonstrates particles emitted with just talking.  With and mask and without a mask.

Visualizing Speech Generated Oral Dropletswith Laser Light Scattering 

[CrazyDaisy]

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@BlueFinch wrote:

The masks we're being asked to wear socially, are not to protect us, they're to protect others, in case we're carrying the virus, while asymptomatic. It seems that the infected are the most contagious before they have any symptoms. And, some are spreaders, who never do. 

With every breath, and while speaking, we release respiratory vapors from our nose and mouth.  That's why they say -- keep six feet distance. There's controversy that this may not even be far enough, since this virus, when released, wafts and can hang in the air for a bit. It's why we don't want it out there. 

Then add a sneeze.  A simple sneeze has the ability to spread disease over 20ft. For example: It's estimated an aggressive sneeze could travel two aisles over in a grocery store. A cough travels, several feet, as well.

Social masks are imperative now, since we're learning more about this virus transmission.  It's a stealth, sneaky, opportunistic virus. 

For personal protection you would have to go to a hospital approved, fitted mask, like the N95. Even this mask is not protective with a virulent bug, if you don't wear it correctly and have fit tests. It has to be sealed tightly. Therefore, it's a misery to wear for any period of time, since it's so occlusive. You feel you can't breathe. 

So, if everyone just covers up their face, we will make a dent in transmitting this illness by controlling release of the virus into the air from the respiratory system of the unknown infected. There may be many, since we don't have enough testing.

All said, even a bandanna, or scarf is helpful. Anything to capture what escapes one's face. 

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Gee, my mom taught me to cough and sneeze into a tissue then throw it away. in an emergency my sleeve..  Guess people these days just let it rip. 

I will not trust the masks that other are wearing for my safety, that would be foolish.  Without standards, rules or useless.  I would have no idea if they took great care in that construction or taped a tissue to their face. 

[pitdakota]

@CrazyDaisy, it is not just coughing or sneezing.  You emit the particles just by talking.  That is the point.  

If you want a ready supply of N95 masks which are the only masks out there that will really protect you, get in line with millions of other health care agencies, state governments, and FEMA to get them.  And remember, for the N95 mask to be effective it must be fit tested.  

Under normal protocols the N95 mask is to only be worn one time and then disposed of.  

If you do score some, get ready because they are hot and uncomfortable!  It is hard to breathe through them after a short time.

Otherwise, stay home.

[Deree]

@BlueFinch   I still say wearing a mask is a 2-way street. It is a physical barrier and therefore protects others as well as yourself.  If 2 people each wear their own physical barrier rather than one person wearing a physical barrier and the other not then that's twice the protection.  Two physical barriers instead of one. So you are also wearing a mask to protect yourself not just others.  This is what my common sense tells me.

[esmerelda]

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@busymom22 wrote:

Great article.  I am frustrated, however, that the general public was told early on "don't wear masks" when some protection is better than none.

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@busymom22  Agreed!  And then it was voluntary and now in some places it’s mandatory. 

[shoesnbags]

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@Deree wrote:

@shoesnbags  Not all AC filters are created equal but if you trust the testing data on humans for that particular filter that's fine.  Personally I'd feel more comfortable using 4 layers of a high thread count fabric than an industrial filter.

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@Deree 

Just to clarify, this isn’t an industrial filter.  This is the type of filter that is used in home AC/heating systems. Mine is located in our hallway outside one of the bedrooms.  I breathe the air that passes through this filter 365 days of the year. It’s the high filtration type for people with allergies.  So yes, I do trust the air that flows through it, and the documentation provided by the doctor who recommended it.  But we each have to make our own choices in these uncharted waters we have to navigate in. May we all stay safe and healthy.